Fullerenes - Stucture Uses

Question 1

How can fullerenes be used to deliver drugs

Answer 1

Fullerenes can be used to ‘cage’ other molecules. The fullerene structure forms around another atom or molecule, which is trapped inside. This could be used to deliver a drug into the body of a sick person in a hospital.

Question 2

What shape are the carbon molecules

Answer 2

Fullerenes are molecules of carbon shaped like closed tubes or hollow balls.

Question 3

What are the carbon atoms mainly arranged into?

Answer 3

Fullerenes are mainly made up of carbon atoms arranged in hexagons, put can also contain pentagons (rings of five carbon atoms) or heptagons (rings of severn carbon atoms)

Question 4

What practical uses can a huge surface area like the ones on fullerenes?

Answer 4

Fullerenes have a huge surface area, so they could help make great industrial catalysts-individual catalyst molecules could be attached to the fullerenes. Fullerenes for the same reason also make great lubricants.

Question 5

What is one practical use for fullerenes

Answer 5

Fullerenes can form nanotubes, which are tiny carbon cylinders. The ratio between the length and the diameter of nanotubes is very high. Nanotubes can conduct both electricity and thermal energy (heat). They also have high tensile strength (they don’t break when they’re stretched). Technology that uses very strong particles such as nanotubes is called nanotechnology. Nanotubes can be used in electrics or to strength materials without adding much weight, such as in tennis racket frames.